2009 DODGE JOURNEY weight

Trailer Hitch Classification
Your vehicle may be factory equipped for safe towing of
trailers weighing over 2,000 lbs (907 kg) with the optional
Trailer Tow Prep Package. See your authorized dealer for
package content.The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
Trailer Hitch Classification Definitions
Class Max. Trailer Hitch Industry Standards
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium Duty 3,500 lbs (1587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2268 kg)
Class IV - Extra Heavy
Duty 10,000 lbs (4540 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings)” chart for the Maximum
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) towable for your given
drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
Improper Adjustment of Weight Distributing System
STARTING AND OPERATING 381
5

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/
Transaxle GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating) Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue
Wt.
2.4L Automatic 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) 22 sq ft (2.0 sq m) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) which includes
up to 5 persons & Luggage100 lbs (45 kg)
2.7L/3.5L (with
out Trailer Tow Prep Package (AHT) 7,300 lbs (3,311 kg) 32 sq ft (3.0 sq m)
2,000 lbs (907 kg) which includes
1 to 2 persons & Luggage200 lbs (91 kg)
7,300 lbs (3,311 kg) 32 sq ft (3.0 sq m) 1,500 lbs (680 kg) which includes
3 to 4 persons & Luggage150 lbs (68 kg)
7,300 lbs (3,311 kg) 32 sq ft (3.0 sq m) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) which includes
5 to 7 persons & Luggage100 lbs (45 kg)
*Except for
AWD models.
2.7L (with
Trailer Tow
Prep Package (AHT) 8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m)
3,000 lbs (1,361 kg) which in-
cludes up to 5 persons & Lug-
gage300 lbs (136 kg)
8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) which includes
6 to 7 persons & Luggage100 lbs (91 kg)
382 STARTING AND OPERATING

Engine/
Transaxle GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating) Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue
Wt.
3.5L (with
Trailer Tow
Prep Package (AHT) 8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m)
3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) which in-
cludes 1 to 2 persons & Luggage350 lbs (159 kg)
8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m) 3,000 lbs (1,361 kg) which in-
cludes 3 to 4 persons & Luggage300 lbs (136 kg)
8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m) 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg) which in-
cludes 5 to 6 persons & Luggage250 lbs (113 kg)
*Except for
AWD models.
8,300 lbs (3,765 kg) 40 sq ft (3.7 sq m) 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg) which in-
cludes 7 persons & Luggage100 lbs (113 kg)
*Except for
AWD models.
NOTE: The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo,
and should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire and Loading Information placard. Refer to the Tire–
Safety Information Section in this manual.
NOTE: * For All Wheel Drive (AWD) models carrying 5 to 7 persons and luggage will exceed the rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) and therefore should not be attempted.
STARTING AND OPERATING 383
5

Trailer and Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to swayseverelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of the vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer accidents.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
384 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options or authorized dealer-installed
options must be considered as part of the total load on
your vehicle. Refer to the “Tire and Loading Information”
placard for the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 mi (805 km)
of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage your
vehicle.
•During the first 500 mi (805 km) of trailer towing,
limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8. When tow-
ing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR, or GCWR, ratings.
STARTING AND OPERATING 385
5

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and that it will not shift during travel. When traile-
ring cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load
shifts can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance, or damage to
brakes, axle, engine, transaxle, steering, suspension,
chassis structure, or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transaxle in
PARK. Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized.
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight.)
Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires–General Information” in this section for infor-
mation on tire pressures and for proper tire inflation
procedures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires–General Infor-
mation” in this section for information on tread wear
indicators and for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires–General Informa-
tion” in this section for information on replacement
tires and for the proper tire replacement procedures.
Replacing tires with a higher load carrying capacity
will not increase the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes

Donot interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
STARTING AND OPERATING 387
5

Additives............................ 371
Clean Air ............................ 369
Conserving .......................... 226
Ethanol ............................. 369
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 372
Gasoline ............................ 368
Gauge .............................. 205
Hoses .............................. 446
Materials Added ....................... 371
Methanol ............................ 369
Octane Rating ...................... 368,474
Requirements ......................... 368
Saver Mode .......................... 226
Specifications ......................... 474
Tank Capacity ........................ 472
Fuel, Flexible ............. See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuel System Caution ..................... 373
Fueling ............................... 372
Fuses ................................ 457 Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 163
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)
...............372,421
Gas Gauge (Fuel Gauge) ................... 205
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 369
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 368
Conserving .......................... 226
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 369
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................... 205
Fuel ................................ 205
Odometer ........................... 209
Speedometer ......................... 207
Tachometer .......................... 208
Gear Ranges ........................... 314
Gearshift .............................. 314
General Information ............18,26,120,318,363
General Maintenance ..................... 424
Glass Cleaning .......................... 456
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............375,378
504 INDEX